Apparatus, system, and method for display container

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a display container. The display container is configured in the shape of a children&#39;s toy and contains a cavity and transparent covering disposed over the cavity. An object is disposed in the cavity and enclosed by the transparent covering. The transparent covering is configured to make the contents of the cavity visible to the user. The object can be any object pertaining to a development milestone to be attained by a child. The user places an object pertaining to the developmental milestone in the cavity where it can be viewed by the child but cannot be handled or used by the child.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/024,093 filed on Jan. 10, 2008, entitled BINKY IN THE BELLY—A STUFFEDANIMAL WITH A BINKY IN THE BELLY THAT YOU CAN SEE THROUGHT CLEAR PLASTICSEWN INTO THE FRONT OF THE ANIMAL which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention relates to childhood development and more particularly tohelping children achieve developmental milestones.

2. Description of the Related Art

Due to the complex nature of the developmental stages of childhood,parents and guardians often need assistance in helping children reachdevelopmental milestones. A developmental milestone for a child caninclude weaning a child off of his or her dependency on a typicalpacifier, helping a child learn to use a bathroom, helping a child copewith the death of a loved one, or any other significant step in a youngchild's life. In particular, parents often need to help a child removethemselves from a particular object or practice. The event of separationfrom an object or practice on which the child has come to rely can be atraumatic event in the child's life. Many attempts have been made tocreate programs to assist parents in lessening the effect on the childof the separation from past habits and in lessening the effect on thechild of reaching other developmental milestones. Many of these programsstill require that the child be physically separated from the object,area, or person that represents or consists of the past habit. When achild is suddenly removed from an object, area or person to which theyhave become attached, they can experience serious trauma. As childrencannot eloquently express this trauma, people may assume that the traumaassociated with reaching a developmental milestone is not a serious asadult trauma experienced through similar acts such as moving to a newhome, starting a new job, relinquishing a past habit or addiction. Thetrauma experienced by a child through change is just as real and asdamaging as other traumas experienced during life.

For many of the other traumas faced in life, there are programs, methodsor even books on how to cope and adjust to sudden changes. A method isneeded that helps the child achieve developmental milestones whilelessening the damaging effects of complete separation from past habits.

For example, parents often use pacifiers or artificial nipples to soothchildren when they are upset or teething. Many parents use pacifiers fora child when they are unhappy about being separated from their mother ora bottle. Children become very attached to these pacifiers. To thechild, a pacifier comes to represent a feeling of comfort and stability.Parents come to rely on a pacifier to sooth a child when it is upset orwhen the child needs to sleep.

While a pacifier is a helpful tool for children while they are young andare moving through the teething process, use of a pacifier intochildhood can be very harmful to the child's health. Pediatricians havelinked delayed speech development and serious dental problems toprolonged pacifier usage. At some point in the child's earlydevelopment, the child's dependence on a pacifier must be stopped inorder to avoid these serious problems. Parents have struggled with thismilestone in a child's development. Removing an object that the childhas used as a source of comfort can be very difficult for the child.There is a possibility that the long term psychological effects of thisseparation can be hazardous to the child's growth. Some parents anddoctors have labeled these effects with names such as pacifierseparation anxiety and pacifier partum trauma. While the event ofseparating from a pacifier may seem insignificant to a grown person,this is a major traumatic event in the life of a child that occursduring the years when the child is most impressionable. In addition tothe serious trauma that can occur from this separation, many childrenare simply unhappy without the habit they have formed to constantly havea pacifier. Many parents have searched for solutions to keep theirchildren happy during this necessary transition phase and developmentalmilestone.

There have been many attempts to create programs that will lessen theimpact of reaching the developmental milestone of removing the pacifier.These include U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,950 in which a child is givenpacifiers with an increasing numbers of aberrations. The final pacifierhas such a large number of aburations that the child is no longer ableto use the pacifier. Another program was presented in U.S. Pat. No.6,517,567 in which a child is given pacifiers of decreasing size untilthe pacifiers become unusable by the child. These apparatuses andmethods, like many others, leave the child without the comfortassociated with the pacifier. These methods assist in relieving thechild of the use of the pacifier and the associated health problems, butdo not address the psychological trauma experienced by the child due tothe physical separation from the pacifier.

An invention is needed that will assist parents in helping childrenreach developmental milestones without the normally associated trauma tothe child. An invention is needed that separates the child physicallyfrom the object or practice while still allowing the child to see and begeographically close to the object or practice. In this manner, thechild is able to feel the comfort associated with being near the objectbut is not permitted to use the object. A gradual change can occur whilethe child becomes accustomed to discontinued use of the object while thechild is still able to be close to the object. This will help the childcope with the change in a manner that is much less damaging than asudden and complete change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor an apparatus, system, and method that assists a child in achievingdevelopmental milestones without experiencing the trauma associated withsudden and compete change. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, andmethod would assist the child in changing behavior and achieving adevelopmental milestone while still allowing the child to see the objector practice and allowing the child to be geographically close to theobject or practice.

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable inventions.

The apparatus to assist a child achieve developmental milestones isprovided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally executethe necessary steps of helping a child achieve a developmental milestonewithout the trauma associated with sudden and completely change.

The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to be a containerconfigured in the shape of a toy for children. The container comprises amain body section with an outer surface, a cavity disposed in the mainbody section, a transparent covering disposed over the cavity and maycomprise appendages attached to the main body section. The container canbe configured in the shape of a stuffed animal any other type ofchildren's toy. The main body section can be filled with a fillingmaterial that is pliable and resilient or may be a solid material suchas a piece constructed by injection molding. In the case of a pliable,resilient filling material, a heavier material may be added to thebottom section of the main body section to insure that the toy shaperemains upright when placed on a level surface. Attachments such asbuttons or strings may be added to the surface of the main body sectionand the appendages to increase the aesthetic quality of the container.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus is configured in the shape of achildren's stuffed animal. The main body portion is made of a texturizedmaterial, similar to that of a stuffed animal. The main body portion maybe in the shape of an animal, a sports hero, a ball or some otherobject. Appendages may be added in the shape of arms, legs and a head,depending on the shape of the stuffed animal.

The apparatus is further configured, in one embodiment, to contain acavity within the body section of the container. The cavity has at leastone opening through the outer surface of the container and issubstantially free of liquid. The cavity can be formed in a plurality ofshapes including a circle, rectangle, oval, letter of the alphabet,square, heart or any other shape that can be put into the main bodysection of the display container. The cross sectional shape of thecavity may be rectangular, semicircular, cylindrical or any other shapethat extends into the main body section of the display container. Thecavity is large enough to contain an object and may tightly hold theobject in place or may be sized to allow the object to move freely inthe cavity. In one embodiment, there are at least two cavities disposedwithin the body section of the container which may connect from thefront of the body section to the back of the body section. Under anotherembodiment, cavities are disposed in the appendages that are attached tothe main body section.

The apparatus is further configured, in one embodiment, to contain atransparent covering disposed over the cavity. The coving issubstantially coplanar with the outer surface of the container and sealsthe cavity. The transparent covering is configured to insure that thecontents of the cavity are visible to the user. The transparent coveringcan be constructed of a hard, transparent material or a soft, compliant,transparent material. The transparent material can be colored in orderto color the contents of the cavity.

The apparatus is further configured, in one embodiment, to contain anobject disposed within the cavity and contained completely within thecavity. The object is viewable through the transparent covering. Underone embodiment, the object is a typical child's pacifier. The object maybe any object that can be placed in the cavity, especially an objectthat represents a developmental milestone or change that the child needsto make. The object is placed in the cavity and shielded by thetransparent covering so that it is visible to the child and can begeographically close to the child but cannot be handled or used by thechild. In this way, the object does not have to be completely removedfrom the child in order to wean the child from its use or dependence.

In a further embodiment, the cavity is completely inaccessible to theuser. The object is placed in the cavity during the manufacturingprocess and is sealed in the cavity by the transparent covering. In thisway neither the parent or guardian nor the child has access to theobject.

In a further embodiment, the cavity is accessible to the parent orguardian but not accessible to the child that will use the displaycontainer. In this way, the parent may place the object in the cavityand then seal the object in the cavity. The child is then unable toaccess the object but can see the object through the transparentcovering. The object may be changed or replaced by the parent orguardian.

In a further embodiment, the cavity is accessible to the user and to thechild that will use the display container. The child or the parent orguardian may access the object by removing the transparent covering. Inthis way the user or the child can place or remove an object from thecavity by removing, replacing and then re-sealing the transparentcovering to the cavity.

A method of the present invention is also presented for assisting aparent or guardian in helping a child achieve a developmental milestone.The method in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the stepsnecessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to theoperation of the described apparatus and system. In one embodiment, themethod includes the user producing a calendar which highlights asignificant event for the child that will occur on the last day of thecalendar. The user then produces a book which the user reads to thechild. The story of the book describes that a fairy will come on thelast day of the calendar to help the child achieve the developmentalmilestone. The user then re-reads the book to the child each day untilthe last day of the calendar. The morning after the last day of thecalendar, the user shows the child that the calendar has been completedand allows the child to place a star on the last day of the calendar.The user then replaces the calendar with a certificate to commemoratethe achievement of the child.

Another method of the present invention is also presented for assistinga parent or guardian in helping a child achieve a developmentalmilestone. The method in the disclosed embodiments substantiallyincludes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented abovewith respect to the operation of the described apparatus and system. Inone embodiment, the method includes helping a child achieve thedevelopmental milestone of weaning off of a pacifier. The method mayinclude having the user open the package of the display container. Thisis done outside of the presence of the child. The package also containsa calendar, a certificate of achievement, and a book. The child is notallowed to see the display container until the morning after the finalday of the calendar. The user then removes all pacifiers from thechild's environment and limits the amount of time the child may use apacifier. Each day of the calendar the user helps the child identifywhich day the child is on and encourages the child to be excited for theprize to be received on the last day of the calendar. Each night theuser reads the story of the binky fairy to the child. In the story, thebinky fairy comes to put the child's binky in a special, safe place. Onthe night of the last day of the calendar, the user removes the lastpacifier from the child and places the display container with the child.When the child awakes, the user allows the child to place a star on thefinal day of the calendar and presents the certificate of achievement tothe child.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a displaycontainer in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of amethod of helping a child achieve a developmental milestone inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of amethod of helping a child achieve a developmental milestone inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally setforth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order andlabeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method.Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent infunction, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, ofthe illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employedare provided to explain the logical steps of the method and areunderstood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrowtypes and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, theyare understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method.Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only thelogical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumeratedsteps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which aparticular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order ofthe corresponding steps shown.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 1, a display container 100 comprises a mainbody section 102, an outer surface 104 disposed over the main bodysection 102, a cavity 106 disposed in the main body section 102, atransparent coving 108 disposed on the cavity and being substantiallycoplanar with the outer surface 104, and an object 110 disposed in thecavity 106.

The display container 100 can be configured in a plurality of shapes.Under different embodiments, the display container 100 may be configuredin the shape of an animal, a sports player, a popular sports hero, anaction figure, a cartoon character, a car, a truck, a ball of any style,a doll shaped figurine, a pillow or any other shape that could contain acavity 106 in a main body section 102. Possible animal shapes include ateddy bear shape, a bunny shape, a duck shape, a cat shape, a cow shape,and any other animal shape that could contain a cavity 106 in a mainbody section 102. FIG. 1 shows a display container 100 in the shape of arabbit. FIG. 2 shows a display container 200 in the shape of a teddybear. FIG. 3 shows a display container 300 in the shape of a cat. FIG. 4shows a display container 400 in the shape of a dog. FIG. 5 shows adisplay container 500 in the shape of a cylinder. FIG. 6 shows a displaycontainer 600 in the shape of a pillow. FIG. 7 shows a display container700 in the shape of a baseball.

Under certain embodiments, appendages 112 are added to the main bodysection 102. Under one embodiment, these appendages 112 are configuredas arms, legs, ears and a head. Under other embodiments, the appendages112 are configured in the shape of objects such as baseball bats, tennisrackets, or other objects that may be attached to the main body section102. These appendages 112 can be attached to the main body section in aplurality of manners. In certain embodiments, the appendages 112 aresewn on to the main body section 102. Under other embodiments, theappendages 112 are attached through the use of a joint system comprisinga disk and cotter pin combination. Under other embodiments, theappendages 112 are attached through the use of buttons or string.

Under one embodiment, the appendages 112 are movably attached to themain body section 102. Under one embodiment, the appendages can swing ina circular motion. Under another embodiment, the appendages 112 aresecured to the outer surface 104 of the main body section 102 to insurethat the appendages 112 do not move.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 8, the main body section 802 contains afilling material 814 that is pliable and resilient. The filling material814 is disposed around the cavity 806 and substantially fills theremainder of the main body section 802. Under another embodiment, thefilling material is loosely packed in the main body section 802 and doesnot fill the entire main body section 802. The filling material 814 isdesigned to make the display container 800 usable as a toy by a youngchild. By filling the main body section 802 with a material that iscompliant, pliable and resilient, a child may bite, step on, fall on ordrop the display container 800 without a danger of injury to the childor damage to the display container 800. Under one embodiment, thefilling material 814 is washable so that the display container 800 canbe washed without removing the filling material 814.

Under one embodiment, the filling material 814 can be any pliable,resilient material. Under one embodiment, a typical stuffed animalfilling material is used as the filling material 814. Under anotherembodiment, the filling material 814 is a polyester/cotton filling.Under another embodiment, the filling material 814 is a heavy polyesterfilling.

Under another embodiment, the main body section 802 contains a filingmaterial 814 that consists of small bean shaped pieces of a solidmaterial. This creates a display container 800 that is compliant as thebean shaped pieces slip past each other when the display container 800is handled by the child. Under one embodiment, the filling material 814consists of plastic beans or pellets. Under another embodiment, thefilling material 814 consists of polyester beans. Under anotherembodiment, the filling material 814 consists of naturally occurringgrains.

Under certain embodiments, a heavier filler material 814 is added to alower portion 816 of the main body section 802. The heavier fillermaterial 814 situated in the lower portion 816 of the main body section802 insures that the lower portion 816 of the display container 800 willnormally remain on the bottom when the display container 800 is placedon a level surface. In the case of a teddy bear shaped display container800, this will help insure that the display container 800 will remain inthe seated position when placed on a level surface. This is also helpfulin an embodiment in which a logo that the user wishes to display in thevertical position is disposed on the main body section 104. The heavierfilling material 814 may consist of any material that is heavier thanthe other filling material 814 that is used in the remainder of the mainbody section 802. Under one embodiment, the heavier filling material 814consists of small steel shot balls. Under another embodiment, theheavier filling material 814 consists of a woodwool filling material.

Under one embodiment, the main body section 802 contains an opening tofacilitate the replacement of the filling material 814. This insuresthat the filling material 814 can be changed if necessary. This alsoallows the user to remove the filling material 814 in order to wash theouter surface 804 of the display container 800.

Under one embodiment, the main body section 802 does not contain aseparate filling material 814 but consists of one solid material such asthat which is created through injection molding. Under this embodiment,the main body section 802 consists of a solid material except for anarea occupied by the cavity 806. This material can be any material thatcan be injection molded, cast or used in any other method thatconstructs a solid piece. A display container 800 constructed in thismanner may be used as an ornamental piece rather than one that ishandled as a toy by the child.

Under another embodiment, the main body section 802 is hollow. The outersurface 804 consists of a solid material such as that which is createdthrough rotational molding. This creates a lighter weight displaycontainer 800.

Under certain embodiments, the appendages 112 are filled with fillingmaterial 814 similar to the main body section 102. Under anotherembodiment, the appendages 112 are constructed of different materialsthan the main body section 102 to give them added strength and toincrease their wear resistance. Under other embodiments, the appendages112 are constructed of a single material in a manner similar to piecesconstructed through injection molding. Under other embodiments, theappendages 112 are hollow similar to pieces created through rotationalmolding.

Under one embodiment, the display container 100 further comprises atexturized material disposed on the outer surface 104 of the displaycontainer 100. The texturized material is configured to make the displaycontainer 100 usable by a child as a toy. Under one embodiment, thetexturized material is made from a stain-resistant material to assist inkeeping the display container 100 clean for the child. The texturizedmaterial can be constructed of a plurality of materials. The materialsinclude plush, synthetic furs, velvet, felt, fleece, textured wool,jersey-backed fur fabric or any other material that could be used tocover the display container 100.

Under another embodiment, the texturized material 106 further comprisesattachments 118. These attachments 118 may add to the aesthetic qualityof the display container 100. The attachments 118 can be buttons,strings, molded plastic pieces, rubber pieces, synthetic hair, patches,belts, clothing pieces or anything else that might be attached to theouter surface 104 of the display container 100 or the texturizedmaterial. In each of these embodiments, the attachments 118 areconfigured in a manner to insure that they will not be a choking hazardfor the child. Under one embodiment, the texturized material furthercomprises an attachment 118 configured in the shape of a tee-shirt. Thetee-shirt shaped attachment 118 is disposed over the main body section102 and the cavity is disposed in the main body section 102 through thetee-shirt attachment 118.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 1, a fringe decoration 120 is disposed onthe outer surface 104. The fringe decoration is configured to surroundthe cavity 106. Under one embodiment, the fringe decoration 120 is madeof the same material as the outer surface 104 of the display container100. Under another embodiment, the fringe decoration 120 is made of thesame material as the texturized material. Under other embodiments, thefringe decoration is made of ribbon, plastic, plush or any othermaterial that is safe for a child.

The cavity 106 can be configured in a plurality of shapes. Under theembodiment of FIG. 1, the cavity 106 is in the shape of a circle. Underthe embodiment of FIG. 9, the cavity 906 is in the shape of a heart.Under the embodiment of FIG. 10, the cavity 1006 is in the shape of arectangle. The cavity 106 can also be configured in the shape of asquare, semicircle, oval, pentagon, hexagon or any other shape thatallows the cavity 106 to be placed on the main body section 102 of thedisplay container 100. Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 isshaped around a logo that is disposed on the main body section 102 ofthe display container 100.

The cavity 106 can also be made in a plurality of cross-sectionalshapes. Under the embodiment of FIG. 8, the cavity 806 has a cup shape.Under the embodiment of FIG. 11, the cavity 1106 has a cone shape. Underthe embodiment of FIG. 12, the cavity 1206 has a semicircular shape. Thecross-sectional shape of the cavity 1206 can also have a wedge shape, anoval shape, a cylindrical shape, a flattened shape or any other shapethat allows the cavity 106 to penetrate the main body section 102 andcreates a space for the object 110.

Under one embodiment, the cavity 106 is large enough that the object 110can move freely within the cavity. Under another embodiment, the cavity106 is configured to hold the object 110 tightly. Under one embodiment,the object 110 is held in position by a fixture in the cavity 106. Thefixture can include a clip, tie, strap, button, or any other mechanismthat can be used to fix an object within the cavity 106. A fixture isused when the user wants to see a certain side of the object 110 or havethe object 110 in a certain orientation while it is inside the cavity106. Under an embodiment in which the object 110 is a pacifier, the usermay want the portion of the pacifier that contains the plastic suckingdevice to be shown at all times. Under an embodiment in which the object110 is a picture, the user may want the printed side of the picture tobe shown at all times. Under another embodiment, the object 110 is notattached within the cavity 106 and can move freely within the cavity.The object 110 may make noise as it moves in the cavity 106 such as arattle noise.

Under one embodiment, the cavity 106 is located in the main body section102 of the display container 100. Under the embodiment of FIG. 1, thecavity 106 is located in the center of the main body section 102. Underthe embodiment of FIG. 13, the cavity 1306 is located off-center in themain body section 1302. The location of the cavity depends on thestyling of the other portions of the main body section 102 and may belocated on any portion of the main body section 102.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 14, a plurality of cavities 1406 is locatedin the main body section 1402 and in the appendages 1412. The pluralityof cavities 1406 may also be disposed on the reverse side of the mainbody section 1402 and the appanedages 1412.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 15, the cavity 1506 disposed on the front1522 of the main body section 1502 connects with the cavity 1506disposed on the back 1524 of the body section 1502. Under thisembodiment, the child can see through the display container 1500. Underanother embodiment, a plurality of cavities 1506 disposed on the front1522 of the main body section 1502 and on the appendages 1512 connectwith a plurality of cavities 1506 disposed on the back 1524 of the mainbody section 1502 and of the appendages 1512. The object 1510 disposedwithin the cavity 1506 maybe free to move or may be fixed as in previousembodiments.

The cavity 106 is substantially free of water. The cavity 106 containsthe object 110 or plurality of objects 110 and substantially air. Thecavity 106 is not intended to hold water as in the case of a waterglobe.

Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 is configured to make a soundwhen squeezed by the child. This is accomplished by constructing thecavity 106 from a pliable plastic material and by situating a noisemaking device on one surface of the cavity 106. The noise making devicemay be electronic or may consist of a small hole in the cavity 106through which air is passed.

Under one embodiment, the cavity 106 is made from the same material asthe outer surface 104 of the main body section 102. These materialsinclude plush, synthetic furs, velvet, felt, fleece, textured wool,jersey-backed fur fabric or any other material that is used to cover thedisplay container 100. Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 is madefrom a different material than the outer surface 104. Under certainembodiments, the child cannot contact the cavity 106. In theseembodiments, the cavity 106 does not need to meet the same standards forchild safety as the outer surface 104. Under one embodiment, the cavity106 is constructed of a hard material so that the object 110 will make anoise when it contacts the cavity 106. The harder material may be a highdensity polyethylene because of its stiffness. Under another embodiment,the cavity 106 is constructed of a soft material such as a fabric, sothat the entire display container 100 is compliant. Under anotherembodiment, the cavity 106 is constructed of an opaque material so thatthe filling material 814 of the main body section 102 is not visiblethrough the cavity 106. Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 isconstructed of the same material as the transparent covering 108 so thatthe filling material 814 of the main body section 102 is visible throughthe cavity 106. Under this embodiment, manufacturing costs are reduceddue to the consistency of the material between the cavity 106 and thetransparent covering 108. Under one embodiment, the material of thecavity 106 is polystyrene.

Under one embodiment, the cavity 106 is completely inaccessible to theuser and the child. Under this embodiment, the object 110 is placed inthe cavity 106 during the manufacturing process and is sealed in thecavity 106 by the transparent covering 108. In this way, neither theuser nor the child is ever able to access the object 110. In order tohelp the child reach a developmental milestone, the child needs to feelas if the object 110 within the display container 100 belongs to thechild. In order to accomplish this under one embodiment, the child isgiven an old object similar to the object 110 that has been manufacturedas part of the display container 100. The child is allowed to use theold object. Once the child has grown used to the old object, the oldobject can be removed and the child can receive the display container100. Because the object 110 within the display container 100 is similarin appearance to the old object used by the child, the child assumesthat the object 110 within the display container 100 is the old objectthat was used by the child. The child is then able to feel the comfortassociated with having the object 110 near without being able to use theobject 110.

Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 is accessible to the user butnot accessible to the child. Under this embodiment, the method foraccessing the cavity 106 is sufficiently complex and inaccessible thatthe child cannot access the object 110 without the assistance of theuser. In this embodiment, the user simply places the object in thecavity 106 and seals the cavity 106 with the transparent covering 108.The child is then unable to access the object 110 without the assistanceof the user. This allows the user to place the specific object that wasowned and used by the child within the display container 100. Under theembodiment of FIG. 16, the cavity 1606 is sealed by the user through theuse of a threaded connection 1626 between the cavity 1606 and thetransparent covering 1608. Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 issealed to the transparent covering 108 through the use of a lock. Underanother embodiment, the cavity 106 is sealed to the transparent covering108 through the use of a child-safe threaded connection similar to thatwhich is used in medicine bottles. Any other sealing method can be usedthat will insure that the child cannot access the object.

Under another embodiment, the cavity 106 is accessible to the user andto the child through the transparent covering 108. Under thisembodiment, the sealing method can be used by the child and the user.The object 110 can be added and removed from the cavity 106 by the childand the user. The sealing method between the transparent covering 108and the cavity 106 in this case does not need to be complex orchild-proof. The sealing method can include threaded edges, buttons,Velcro, friction fit, or any other method that can be used to seal thetransparent covering 108 to the cavity 106.

Under the embodiment of FIG. 1, the object 110 is a typical child'spacifier. Under other embodiments, the object 110 can be a picture,piece of a child's blanket, a lock of hair, a child's toy or any otherobject that can be placed in the cavity. Under one embodiment, theobject 110 placed in the cavity 106 is an object 110 that a child hasbecome attached to but needs to be physically separated from. Thesetypes of objects 110 include pacifiers, blankets or pieces of a blanket,a picture of a person or toy, a toy, or any other object that a childmay need to be weaned off of or that is part of a developmentalmilestone. The cavity 106 and transparent covering 108 are configured toallow the child to see the object 110 but not to touch it or use it inthe normal fashion. In this way, a user can help the child reach adevelopmental milestone that may require that a child no longer use acertain object 110, without completely removing the object 100 from thechild. The child can have the object 110 in the display container 100and feel secure that the object 110 is nearby without allowing the childto continue the direct dependency on the object 110. When a child hasbecome very attached to an object 110, this is a much safer and muchmore gradual separation than completely removing the object from thechild.

Under another embodiment, there is a plurality of objects 110 disposedwithin the cavity 106. The objects 110 may be several embodiments of thesame object or they may be several completely different objects 110.

Under one embodiment, the transparent covering 108 is made of a flexiblematerial. Under another embodiment, the entire display container 100 ismade of compliant materials to insure that it is safe for a child's use.The flexible material is one that will not fail due to fatigue aftermany uses by the child. Under another embodiment, the transparentcovering 108 is made of a harder material. The harder material may haverounded edges to lessen the likelihood of the child being scraped or cutby the harder material. Under one embodiment, the transparent covering108 further comprises a texturized covering. The texturized covering candistort the object as seen by the child to make the object appeardifferently depending on the angle at which the transparent covering 108is viewed. The texturized covering also adds to the feel of the displaycontainer 100 as the child plays with the display container 100. Atexturized covering also allows the transparent covering 108 to be moreflexible.

The transparent covering 108 can be manufactured with a plurality ofthicknesses. A thicker material will make the covering 108 harder whilea thinner material will make the covering 108 more flexible. Thethickness is designed to be sufficient to prevent the child from tearingthe transparent covering 108. It is essential that the transparentcovering 108 is not torn and removed so that the child does not placethe covering 108 in the child's mouth. The transparent covering 108 isalso attached to the main body section 102 with sufficient tension thatthe transparent covering 108 does not wrinkle. This also prevents thecovering 108 from become a choking hazard for the child.

Under one embodiment, the transparent covering 108 is colored. Underthis embodiment, the entire contents of the cavity 106 are coloredthrough the colored transparent covering 108. Under another embodiment,the transparent covering 108 is colored with a plurality of colors.

The transparent covering 108 can be made from a plurality of materials.The material is one that is safe for children which does not containchemicals that would injure the child if placed in the child's mouth.Under one embodiment, the transparent covering 108 is made from amaterial that can be washed with the other portions of the displaycontainer 100 so that the entire display container 100 can be washed.Under the embodiment in which the transparent covering 108 is rigid, thetransparent covering 108 can be made from polystyrene due to itsexcellent clarity and rigidity. Under another embodiment, thetransparent covering 108 can be made of polyethylene terephthalate. Thismaterial is less rigid but still has excellent clarity. Under theembodiments in which a flexible, compliant transparent covering 108 isused, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE),linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or any other compliant, clearplastic can be used.

FIG. 17 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1500 for assisting a child in achieving a developmentalmilestone. In one embodiment, the method 1700 starts 1702 and the useropens 1704 a box containing the display container 100. The user insuresthat the child does not see the display container 100 at this time.Under this embodiment, the user wishes to wean a child off of the userof a pacifier. Under certain embodiments, the user may be a parent orguardian. The user then collects and removes 1706 all but one of thepacifiers from the child's surroundings. The child's surroundings mayinclude the home, car, play area, daycare center, school or other areaswhere the child may find a pacifier. The child is permitted to continueto use the pacifier that is not collected and removed. The user thenrestricts 1708 usage of the remaining pacifier to certain times of theday. These times may be nap time and bed time. This will help the childslowly adapt to the experience of not having constant physical contactwith the pacifier. The user then places 1710 a calendar on the wall ofthe child's room. The calendar contains a multiple day program thatleads to a special event on the last day. The child can follow thecalendar to see that the special event is coming closer. The user shouldencourage the child to recognize which day the child is currently onusing the calendar. The excitement in the child will build as the userexplains that a special event is coming at the end of the last day. Theuser then reads 1712 a book to the child that contains a story of theBinky Fairy. The story explains that the Binky Fairy will come to placethe child's pacifier in a safe place. The safe place is inside of thedisplay container 100. The story then explains that the Binky Fairy willcome while the child is sleeping and put the pacifier in the displaycontainer 100. The user then continues to restrict 1714 use of thepacifier until the last day of the calendar is reached. The userre-reads 1716 the story of the Binky Fairy each night until the lastnight. On the last night, the user explains that the Binky Fairy isgoing to come. The user removes 1718 the child's pacifier while thechild is sleeping. The user places 1720 the display container with thechild while the child is sleeping. The user places the display container100 with the child while the child is sleeping so that the childbelieves that the Binky Fairy placed the pacifier within the displaycontainer 100 to keep it safe and then gave the display container 100 tothe child. The user presents 1722 a certificate to congratulate thechild on completing the calendar and removing the pacifier. The userplaces 1724 a gold star on the calendar and replaces 1726 the calendarwith the certificate. The method 1700 then ends 1718.

FIG. 18 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa method 1800 for assisting a child in achieving developmentalmilestone. In one embodiment, the method 1800 starts 1802 and the userproduces 1804 a calendar. The user then shows 1806 the child thecalendar and highlights the last day of the calendar. The user thenreads 1808 a story to the child in which a fairy will come to assist thechild in achieving the developmental milestone. The user re-reads 1810the book to the child each night until the last night of the calendar.The morning after the last night of the calendar, the user shows 1812the child that the calendar has been completed. The user then places1814 a gold star on the calendar. The user then replaces 1816 thecalendar with a certificate to commemorate the achievement of the child.

FIG. 19 shows one embodiment of the display container as it may be soldto the consumer. The embodiment includes a display container 1900, a box1928, a certificate of achievement 1930, a calendar 1932, and a book1934. The display container 1900 is contained in the box 1928 when it isreceived by the user. This is to insure that the child does not see thedisplay container 1900 until the day in which the display container 1900is changed for a child's old object. The certificate 1930, calendar 1932and book 1934 are also contained within the box 1928 when the box 1928is received by the user. The calendar 1932 is configured to be hung on awall in the child's room.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. An apparatus to display objects, the apparatus comprising: acontainer configured in the shape of a toy for children comprising atleast a main body section and an outer surface; a cavity disposed withinthe body section of the container, the cavity extending at least partway through the depth of the container, the cavity having at least oneopening through the outer surface of the container, the cavity beingaccessible through the opening disposed in the outer surface of thecontainer, and the cavity further comprising an interior area that issubstantially free of liquid; a transparent covering disposed over thecavity, the transparent covering sealing the cavity and being configuredto make the interior area of the cavity visible to an outside user; andan object disposed within the cavity and contained completely within thecavity, the object being contained within the cavity through the use ofthe transparent covering, the object being viewable through thetransparent covering.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising atexturized material configured to cover the outer surface of thecontainer and further comprising a filling material disposed within themain body section.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the container isconfigured in the shape of a stuffed animal and further comprising aplurality of appendages attached to the main body portion in the shapeof stuffed animal arms, legs and a head.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the transparent covering is configured to be substantiallycoplanar with the outer surface of the container.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the cavity consists of a front view the shape of acircle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity is designed toallow the object disposed within the cavity to move freely within thecavity.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cavity is designed tohold the object in a substantially stationary position.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the object disposed within the cavity is a typicalpacifier for children.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thetransparent covering and the cavity are sealed during the manufacturingprocess with the object contained therein, making the objectinaccessible to the user and the child.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the transparent covering and the cavity are not completelysealed during the manufacturing process and the transparent covering andthe cavity further comprise a sealing method that allows the user toaccess the object but does not allow the child to access the object. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent covering and thecavity are not completely sealed during the manufacturing process andthe transparent covering and the cavity further comprise a sealingmethod that allows both the user and the child to access the object. 12.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent covering is formed ofcolored plastic to color the contents of the cavity when viewed by theuser.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transparent coveringconsists of a pliable material.
 14. A system to assist a child inreaching the developmental milestone of weaning from the habit ofconstantly needing an object, the system comprising: a containerconfigured in the shape of a toy for children comprising at least a mainbody section and an outer surface; a cavity disposed within the bodysection of the container, the cavity extending at least part way throughthe depth of the container, the cavity having at least one openingthrough the outer surface of the container, the cavity being accessiblethrough the opening disposed in the outer surface of the container, andthe cavity further comprising an interior area that is substantiallyfree of liquid; a transparent covering disposed over the cavity, thetransparent covering sealing the cavity and being configured to make theinterior area of the cavity visible to an outside user; and an objectdisposed within the cavity and contained completely within the cavity,the object being contained within the cavity through the use of thetransparent covering, the object being viewable through the transparentcovering.
 15. A method for assisting a child in reaching thedevelopmental milestone of weaning from the habit of constantly needinga pacifier, the method comprising: providing a container configured inthe shape of a toy for children comprising at least a main body sectionand an outer surface; providing a cavity disposed within the bodysection of the container, the cavity extending at least part way throughthe depth of the container, the cavity having at least one openingthrough the outer surface of the container, the cavity being accessiblethrough the opening disposed in the outer surface of the container, andthe cavity further comprising an interior area that is substantiallyfree of liquid; providing a transparent covering disposed over thecavity, the transparent covering sealing the cavity and being configuredto make the interior area of the cavity visible to an outside user;placing an pacifier within the cavity, the pacifier being completelycontained within the cavity, the pacifier being contained in the cavitythrough the use of the transparent covering, the pacifier being viewablethrough the transparent covering; removing an old pacifier similar tothe pacifier within the cavity from the child; and placing the containerwith the child.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: takingthe container out of a box and insuring that the child does not see thecontainer; collecting and removing old pacifiers from the child'senvironment; restricting usage of pacifiers by the child; producing acalendar containing a number of days until a child completes thedevelopmental milestone; placing a calendar on a wall and placing asticker for day 1 on the calendar; reading a book which contains thestory of the Binky Fairy to the child; continuing to restrict the usageof old objects by the child; encouraging the child to recognize whichday on the calendar he or she is on; re-reading the book which containsthe story of the Binky Fairy each night until the last night of thecalendar; explaining to the child that the Binky Fairy is going to comeduring the night and put the child's pacifier in a safe place; showingthe child that the calendar has been completed; preparing a certificateto commemorate the achievement of the child; placing a gold star on thecalendar to signify that the child has completed the process; andreplacing the calendar with the certificate to commemorate theachievement of the child.
 17. An apparatus to display objects, theapparatus comprising: a container configured in the shape of a toy forchildren comprising at least a main body section and an outer surface; acavity disposed within the body section of the container, the cavityextending at least part way through the depth of the container, thecavity having at least one opening through the outer surface of thecontainer, the cavity being accessible through the opening disposed inthe outer surface of the container, and the cavity further comprising aninterior area that is substantially free of liquid; a transparentcovering disposed over the cavity, the transparent covering sealing thecavity and being configured to make the interior area of the cavityvisible to an outside user; an object disposed within the cavity andcontained completely within the cavity, the object being containedwithin the cavity through the use of the transparent covering, theobject being viewable through the transparent covering; an opaque boxcontaining the display container configured to conceal the displaycontainer from the child; a certificate contained within the boxconfigured to be presented to the child upon completion of thedevelopmental milestone; a calendar contained within the box configuredto show the number of days until the completion of the developmentalmilestone; and a book contained within the box configured to instructthe child concerning how the child will complete the developmentalmilestone.